Wogan waives Children In Need fee

Terry Wogan has waived his Children In Need fee following criticism over his £10,000 payment for anchoring the charity BBC show.

Last year, the Radio 2 DJ received £10,340 for anchoring the annual charitable appeal, up from the £9,065 he made from the 2005 programme.

Terry has waived his Children In Need fee

Sir Terry, who is thought to earn £800,000 a year for his Wake Up To Wogan breakfast radio show, said at the time his payment came to light that he had “never asked for a fee and would quite happily do it for nothing”.

The broadcaster, who has in the past accused his employer of wasting money on overpaid presenters, had been receiving a fee since 1980.

His recent co-presenters, Natasha Kaplinsky and Fearne Cotton, have not been paid.

But BBC internal magazine Ariel reported: “Terry Wogan will waive his fee for fronting the BBC Children In Need telethon.”

A BBC spokesman said: “None of the presenters will be receiving a fee for presenting this year’s Children In Need appeal show.

“Terry had said he… would gladly do it for nothing.

“Children In Need has never paid the fee to Terry Wogan. It is paid for by the BBC and does not come come from the funds of the BBC Children In Need Telethon.”

The show tonight (Friday) features comeback performances from the Spice Girls via video link as well as Irish pop band Boyzone and Kylie Minogue.

BBC newsreaders will be performing a version of the Chicago musical and viewers will see David Tennant in a Doctor Who special.